Cycling in winter: what to wear, lights, tyres for grip and bike care after wet rides
TUREFF• •0
Winter riding has its own pleasures: empty lanes, frosty mornings and the smug feeling of being out when everyone else is indoors. It also has more ways to go wrong. A bit of preparation makes the difference between enjoying it and dreading it.
Clothing: layers you can adjust
Dress so you feel slightly cold for the first ten minutes. If you are warm standing at the door, you will be sweating within half an hour, and wet clothing chills you on the descents.
- Base layer: a close-fitting long-sleeved top that moves sweat away from your skin. Merino and synthetic fabrics both work; cotton holds water and should be avoided.
- Mid layer: a long-sleeved thermal jersey.
- Outer layer: a windproof or waterproof jacket, depending on the forecast. A packable gilet is useful for changeable days.
- Legs: thermal tights, with leg warmers as an option on milder days.
- Extremities first: hands, feet and head get cold first. Wear proper winter gloves, overshoes or winter boots, and a thin cap or headband under the helmet. A neck warmer can be pulled over your face on cold descents.
Take a light layer you can remove rather than one heavy jacket. Stopping at a café warm and damp and then riding off into the cold is when people get chilled.
Lights and visibility
Days are short, and grey afternoons can be as dark as dusk.
- Use a front and rear light on every winter ride, not just after sunset. Daytime flashing modes help drivers spot you.
- Carry lights with enough battery for longer than you plan to be out, and charge them after every ride. Cold weather shortens battery life.
- Rules vary by country. In the UK, for example, riding between sunset and sunrise legally requires a white front light, a red rear light, a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors. Check the rules where you ride.
- Bright or reflective clothing helps, especially on parts that move, such as ankles and gloves.
Tyres and grip
- Run slightly lower pressure than in summer for more grip on wet roads, but not so low that you risk pinch flats. Tyre width and your weight decide where that point is.
- Wider tyres, if your frame has room, give more grip and comfort and can be run at lower pressure.
- Choose tyres with good puncture protection. Winter roads are covered in grit and debris washed out of the hedges, and fixing a flat with frozen fingers is miserable.
- Be careful on painted road markings, manhole covers, wet leaves and anything shiny. Brake earlier and corner more upright.
- Ice: if there is a real chance of ice, especially on untreated back roads, it is usually wiser to stay in or ride indoors. Studded tyres exist for those who ride on ice regularly.
Mudguards are worth fitting if your bike can take them. They keep you drier and cleaner, and the rider behind you will thank you.
Bike care after wet rides
Road spray in winter often carries salt and grit, which wear components quickly.
- Rinse the bike with low-pressure water as soon as you can after a wet ride. Avoid aiming a pressure washer at bearings.
- Clean the chain and drivetrain, dry the chain with a rag, and re-lube. A wet-weather lube lasts longer in the rain.
- Check the brake pads. Wet grit wears them down much faster than in summer, and rim brake pads can pick up shards of metal.
- Wipe the tyres and pick out any glass or flints before they work their way through.
- Store the bike somewhere it can dry.
Some riders keep an older or cheaper "winter bike" so the good one is spared the worst of the weather.
Indoor training as an alternative
On icy, stormy or very dark days, an indoor trainer or exercise bike keeps your fitness ticking over without the risk.
- Smart trainers and apps make structured sessions easy to follow; a basic trainer with a plan also works fine.
- Use a fan. Without moving air you overheat quickly indoors.
- Shorter, focused sessions often work better indoors than trying to copy a long outdoor ride.
Mixing the two, outdoors when the weather allows and indoors when it does not, keeps winter fitness steady.
How do you keep your hands and feet warm, and what does your winter bike set-up look like? Share your tips and questions in the comments below.